Ear protector



March 5,194 R L M EY 2,396,113

7 .IEAR 'PROTEQTOR Filed NOV. 23, 1943 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @0550 T1 [s 752 TL 5 Y Inventor March 5, 1946.

R. 1.. MOTLEY EAR PROTECTOR Filed Nov. 23, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r m m w l @0552 7 155 752,. /'/0 7'LEY a Attorneys Patented Mar. 5, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENTOFIFICE Application November 23,1943, Serial No. 511,448

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in ear protectors, and has for its primary object to provide; in a manner as hereinafter set forth, unique means for protecting the ears against injury by burning while waving the hair.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a protector of the aforementioned character which is adapted to'force the marginal portions of the ear outwardly away from the head to facilitate treating the hair around these areas.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an ear protector of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, dur

able, highly efficient and reliable in use, light in weight, sanitary and which may be manufactured at low cost..

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specifica-' tion, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

. Figure 1 is a side elevational view, showing an ear protector constructed in accordance with the present invention in use.

Figure 2 is an elevational outer side of the protector. I

Figure 3 is an elevational view, looking at the inner side of the protector.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan View.

Figure 5 is a View in front device. 7

Figure 6 is a detail view in elevation of the outer side member of the protector.

view, looking at the elevation of the Figure '7 is a detail view in elevation of the inner side member of the protector. v

Referring now to the drawingsin detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention,

which has been illustrated comprises inner and outer sheets I and 2, respectively, of rubber or accommodates the upper portion of the ear.

closely adjacent the head. The lower portion of the outer element 2 has formed therein a substantially V-shaped recess 4 to prevent interference with hearing.

Comparing Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings, it will be observed that the shape of the inner sheet I is such as to necessitate bringing the end portions thereof inwardly in order that the outer marginal edges will be flush with the corresponding edges of the element 2 when they are secured together. Thus, the inner side I is caused to bulge, as at 5, in a manner to facilitate en'- gaging the ear therein through th recess 3a. This also pushes the marginal portion of the protector with the ear therein away from the head.

The front, upper and rear marginal portions of the elements I and 2 are enclosed in a shield 6 of substantially channel-shaped cross section. The shield B may be of plastic, asbestos or any other suitable material. The shield 6 conforms to'the contour of the elements I and 2 and may be frictionally retained thereon.

It is thought that the manner in which the article is used will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, a sheet of tissue is preferably placed on the ear for sanitation prior to the application of the protector. The protector is then applied by slipping the outwardly cupped element I downwardly over the upper portion of the ear, the opening or recess 3a accommodating said ear. With the protector properly applied, it frictionally grips the ear sufiiciently to prevent accidental displacement. The member 6 imparts rigidity to the article in addition to protecting the elements I and 2 against burning.

It is believed that the many advantages of an ear protector constructed in accordance with the 'may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An ear protector comprising a bulged inner flexible sheet and a flat outer flexible sheet having their front, rear and upper marginal portions secured together, the lower marginal portions of said sheets being free of each other for the reception ofan ear, said sheets having recesses in the lower portions thereof to respectively fit the ear at the juncture of the latter with the head and to facilitate hearing, and a rigid shield of substantially channe1 shape in cross section fitted over said front, rear and upper marginal portions of said sheets, the bulged form of the inner sheet causing the ear to be flexed away from the head when the protector is applied to the ear.

2. An ear protector of the character described comprising a deeply bulged inner flexible sheet 5 and. a flat outer flexible sheet having their front, rear and upper marginal portions secured together, the lower marginal portions of said sheets I being free of each other for the reception of an ear, said inner sheet having a recess in its lower portion accommodating the ear at the juncture of the latter with the head, the inner sheet being bulged away from the outer sheet 

